Printmaking Overview

The Printmaking Department offers a broad range of studio experiences in the four major printmaking disciplines: relief, intaglio, lithography, and screenprinting. The department's approach to these disciplines is fine arts based and allows each student to realize a personal vision. Printmaking courses are particularly suited for students who are interested in investigating their own cultural and personal identity. The department provides a wide exposure to traditional and contemporary techniques, offering courses in computer-assisted printmaking and book arts as well as encouraging interdisciplinary combinations of printmaking with other media or installations. After a thorough exploration of the various print media, printmaking majors further develop personal content through independent experimentation with advanced printmaking processes and explore alternate media and disciplines through elective options. While two courses must be in photography, painting, or drawing, a generous number of printmaking electives and open studio electives permits adapting the major to fit individual interests and talents. Print media can be combined with other forms or follow interdisciplinary directions such as book concepts, photo and digital printmaking, sculptural printmaking, and print as public art. The printmaking major's curriculum culminates with a special, year-long, 6- to 12-credit senior thesis that allows students to develop a personal direction through both a written thesis statement and a sustained body of work.

Our outstanding print shop facilities include separate, spacious, well-equipped studios for intaglio/relief, lithography, screenprinting, papermaking, and letterpress/book arts. Safety is a primary concern. Ventilation systems are installed in each studio. Printmaking facilities also include a screen exposure room and a plate exposure room. The inventory is complete with numerous etching and litho presses able to print large plates and stones, vacuum tables for screenprinting, a library of more than 90 litho stones, and supplies and solvents for all print media.

The Printmaking Department is the home of Dolphin Press & Print, a professional print shop, which in coursework and internships acquaints students with developing collaborative print projects with visiting writers and visual artists. Dolphin Press & Print is structured as a professional collaborative shop that is tied to the printmaking curriculum. Classes in printmaking also interact with Dolphin Press. Students are encouraged to collaborate in the production and printing of small editions of original prints and all types of collaborative print, paper, and book projects.